Grandfather Mountain and Rough Ridge, North Carolina.

Last week the family and I went to Blowing Rock for a couple days. We managed to hike the short-but-awesome Rough Ridge Trail, and I was able to get up early each day and enjoy some nice sunrises.

I started off with a sunrise at Price Lake on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I tried to let the wife sleep in, so little Charles was bundled up in his carseat right next to me for this series of photos...

Price LakeJulian Price Memorial ParkPrice LakeJulian Price Memorial ParkPrice LakeJulian Price Memorial Park
On the way back to the rental, I stopped and took a shot of a pretty meadow. It was a nice morning, not nice enough for me to go on a shirtless run, but kudos to that guy!

Price LakeJulian Price Memorial Park
We headed to Rough Ridge a little later in the day for some sweet views of the Linn Cove Viaduct and Grandfather Mountain.

Rough Ridge TrailRough Ridge trail near Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.Rough Ridge TrailRough Ridge trail near Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.Rough Ridge TrailRough Ridge trail near Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.Rough Ridge TrailRough Ridge trail near Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.Rough Ridge TrailRough Ridge trail near Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.Rough Ridge TrailRough Ridge trail near Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.Rough Ridge TrailRough Ridge trail near Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.Rough Ridge TrailRough Ridge trail near Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.Rough Ridge TrailRough Ridge trail near Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.Rough Ridge TrailRough Ridge trail near Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.
We made a quick stop at the Wilson Creek bridge before heading up to Beacon Heights.

Blue Ridge Parkway SceneryScenery from the Wilson Creek and Beacon Heights area of North Carolina.Blue Ridge Parkway SceneryScenery from the Wilson Creek and Beacon Heights area of North Carolina.Blue Ridge Parkway SceneryScenery from the Wilson Creek and Beacon Heights area of North Carolina.

Blue Ridge Parkway SceneryScenery from the Wilson Creek and Beacon Heights area of North Carolina.
After a relaxing night by the fire at our rental, I headed out to the Linn Cove Viaduct for some early morning stars and sunrise.